Responsible living in a rented home 

This information covers England and Wales. Rules may differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

Renting comes with a few key considerations, whether you’re alone or sharing with others. For example: what counts as normal wear and tear, who is responsible for which repairs, and how to keep a shared house running smoothly. This page pulls together practical answers, so small issues don’t turn into deposit disputes or bigger problems down the line. 

Looking after your rented home 

Fair wear and tear vs damage 
Fair wear and tear is the natural, gradual decline of a property and its fixtures from everyday living (e.g. faded paint, slightly flattened carpet, loose door hinges after years of use).  

Damage is avoidable harm: a hole punched in a wall, a burn mark, a broken fitting. Landlords can’t charge for fair wear and tear, but they can charge for damage. Landlords can only charge for the item’s remaining value, not the cost of a brand-new replacement – a principle known as “betterment.” 

Report issues early 
Tell your landlord or agent as soon as you notice a leak, damp patch, or electrical or heating fault. Problems like these rarely improve on their own, and reporting promptly protects you if it’s ever disputed later. Keep a written record (a text or email works fine) of when you reported it and what was said. 

The legal basics 
In England and Wales, landlords are responsible for the structure, exterior, and main installations (heating, hot water, gas, electrics and plumbing) under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.  

You are responsible for using the property in a reasonable, “tenant-like” way, and for allowing access for repairs or inspections, with at least 24 hours’ written notice given at a reasonable time. 

Safety checks to expect 
You should be given a current Gas Safety Record (to be checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer) and, in England, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), renewed at least every five years. Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be fitted on every storey of the property and tested at the start of the tenancy. Test them regularly yourself and report any fault immediately. Your landlord is required to act promptly. 

Pets and the property
Get written permission before bringing a pet home. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords will no longer be able to unreasonably refuse a tenant’s request to keep a pet, but you still need to ask their permission. It is also sensible to agree how you will prevent scratching or chewing, and whether extra end‑of‑tenancy cleaning is expected. 

Changes during your tenancy 
Taking on a new flatmate or lodger, changing the locks, or making alterations (shelves, decorating, anything structural) usually needs your landlord’s written permission first. Keep a copy of any approval you’re given. 

If you’re going away 
Ventilate the property, secure doors and windows, and turn off the water at the stopcock if that’s been agreed with your landlord. For longer trips, it’s worth asking someone to check the home periodically. 

Deposits and disputes 
Your deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of payment. If you’re charged for ‘damage’ you believe is fair wear and tear, you can challenge it. Schemes like the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, Deposit Protection Service, and mydeposits offer free, independent adjudication, and dated photos or your original inventory are the strongest evidence you can bring. 

Sharing a rented home 

Who owns what 
Label your own belongings clearly and agree with housemates what’s genuinely shared. Avoid leaving valuables in hallways, kitchens, or other communal areas where anyone passing through could damage or take them. 

Shared houses and HMOs 
If you share a kitchen or bathroom with people from different households, and there are four or more of you, your landlord will usually need an HMO licence from the council. Either way, a simple house agreement on cleaning, bins, and quiet hours, plus a rota (e.g. chores, shower times), keeps shared spaces liveable. 

Communal access 
Keep external and entry doors locked, don’t buzz in people you don’t recognise, and bring in parcels promptly rather than leaving them in hallways. 

Bike security 
Use a strong lock (ideally two), securing both wheels and the frame to a fixed, immovable object. Registering your bike‘s frame number with BikeRegister means police can trace it back to you if it’s recovered after a theft. 

Guests and gatherings 

• Be mindful of noise for neighbours. It’s polite to let them know beforehand if you plan to have a party.  
• Check your tenancy agreement or house rules before hosting, as some set limits on overnight stays. 
• If you have fragile, valuable, or breakable objects in communal areas, consider moving them if you are hosting a gathering. 

Privacy and cameras 
If you’re thinking about installing a video doorbell or camera, check your tenancy agreement and building rules first, and avoid pointing cameras at shared corridors or neighbours’ windows. 

Moving in or out with housemates 
Do a joint inventory with photos when you move in and agree a cleaning standard upfront. It’s the easiest way to avoid arguments over the deposit later. 

Preventing accidental damage 

Kitchen and fire safety 

• Don’t leave cooking unattended. 
• Keep tea towels and packaging away from any heat sources. 
• Clean extractor filters regularly.  
• Never leave burning candles unattended. 

Water and leaks 

• Find out where your stopcock is. 
• Use a splash mat by the sink. 
• Avoid overtightening taps. 
• Let your landlord know  as soon as you spot a drip or a damp patch. 

Lithium batteries (e-bikes and e-scooters) 

• Always charge them on a hard, flat surface. 
• Always use the manufacturer’s charger. 
• Never leave them charging overnight or while you’re out. 
• If a battery feels unusually hot, looks swollen, or smells odd, stop using it immediately. 
• Don’t charge it near your front door or escape route. 

Heaters and smoking 

• Keep a clear space around portable heaters. 
• Never dry clothes on portable heaters.  
• If smoking is permitted in your property, take extra care around soft furnishings. 

Walls and fixtures 

• Use the right fixings for anything you hang on the walls. 
• Get permission from your landlord before drilling, especially near where pipes or cables might run.  
• Ask first if you want to put up shelves or make any other changes. 

Floors and worktops 

• Use mats and coasters. 
• Lift furniture rather than dragging it. 
• Mop up spills straight away to stop staining or swelling. 

Pets and fixtures 
Scratch guards, training aids, and keeping doors and floors protected where pets play can save a lot of hassle at the end of a tenancy. 

Dealing with accidental damage 

If damage does happen 
Make the area safe first, turning off water or electrics if needed, then take photos, note what happened and when, and tell your landlord or agent as soon as possible. 

In a block of flats 
If the source of a leak isn’t obvious, speak to your neighbours and the managing agent quickly. The faster it’s traced, the less damage it is likely to cause to your home and any properties below. 

Access for repairs 
Agree a time with your landlord or their contractor and keep any messages and receipts. It’s good evidence that you acted promptly and reasonably.